You don't need the entire kit, save a few pennies and get just the router (I assume you have an AirPort card for your Mac)

Click to expand...

Patrick, No not yet, I don't have Airport Card yet.
I was concerned because it doesn't say it's mac compatabale on the box nor in the manual. And it doesn't say that on the website either. So you are sure that router would work?
But would the card work also? Or I would need air port card?

See, for example this Belkin wireless router, says right on the website it supports Mac. Maybe I should get that one?

It will work, I am using the same one to network my Powerbook with 2 XP desktops and an XP laptop at home. The box doesn't mention being compatible with the Mac, and they won't help you if you call for tech support, but I assure you that it is quite easy to configure and works perfectly fine for a Mac.

Originally posted by garzy Yes, it will work, but linksys does not provide supprt for the mac os. They will not gove out technical support and you cannot update firmware for the router with a mac. Youll need a pc.

I have a D Link wireless router, and it works great, and they provide mac support for most of their products. Check their website to make sure.

Click to expand...

not true, you can update the router via the web utility and uploading the bin file. but without the setup cd, setting up the router to begin with can be a pain. but be prepared you have the most easily accessed wireless router for war drivers in your home.

Originally posted by iJon not true, you can update the router via the web utility and uploading the bin file. but without the setup cd, setting up the router to begin with can be a pain. but be prepared you have the most easily accessed wireless router for war drivers in your home.

iJon

Click to expand...

"but be prepared you have the most easily accessed wireless router for war drivers in your home."

I recommend when you get this thing, activate the WEP (passwording to gain access to the WLAN) and lock down the MAC addresses of your wireless devices.

A MAC address is an industry acronym for Media Access Control (not an Apple thing at all). A fancy word for the physical hardware address number hardwired into any networking device. An Airport-enabled Mac will have two devices and two MAC addresses, one for the Airport, and the other for the ethernet card. These cannot be changed. Even the router will have such an address.

Locking access control down is simply a list stored in your router of all of the MAC addresses of all of the wireless devices you will allow to gain access to the router - tough as hell to crack.

In OS X, you can find the MAC address of the AirPort card in the "Network" pref in the "System Preferences" under the "Airport" tab. Write it down, and enter it (case sensitive) into the Access Control List in your new Router.

Do all of this the moment you get the machine, and configure it through the wire - NOT through the air.

When you have all of your equipment, let us know and we can help you further.

BTW- Someong tried to hack my AirPort Extreme last night for this purpose. But wasn't successful I guess he got frustrated (you see, you can't even get the router to ask you for your WEP password if you don't have the right MAC address), so he spiked it. Made the base reset itelf.

Why do you even need to ask? If the Linksys doesn't work (which it will ), then you can just exchange it for the Belkin. The belkin says on the box that it's Mac compatible, so it probably will if the Linksys fails. Or better yet, just go for the Belkin first, since it's much cheaper. However, the performance on the Belkin may not be as good as on the Linksys.

I recommend when you get this thing, activate the WEP (passwording to gain access to the WLAN) and lock down the MAC addresses of your wireless devices.

A MAC address is an industry acronym for Media Access Control (not an Apple thing at all). A fancy word for the physical hardware address number hardwired into any networking device. An Airport-enabled Mac will have two devices and two MAC addresses, one for the Airport, and the other for the ethernet card. These cannot be changed. Even the router will have such an address.

Locking access control down is simply a list stored in your router of all of the MAC addresses of all of the wireless devices you will allow to gain access to the router - tough as hell to crack.

In OS X, you can find the MAC address of the AirPort card in the "Network" pref in the "System Preferences" under the "Airport" tab. Write it down, and enter it (case sensitive) into the Access Control List in your new Router.

Do all of this the moment you get the machine, and configure it through the wire - NOT through the air.

When you have all of your equipment, let us know and we can help you further.

BTW- Someong tried to hack my AirPort Extreme last night for this purpose. But wasn't successful I guess he got frustrated (you see, you can't even get the router to ask you for your WEP password if you don't have the right MAC address), so he spiked it. Made the base reset itelf.

Click to expand...

Well, currently it is hooked up to my old pc desktop.
It's possible to set up the password when you set the thing up, would that do it for now? I dont know much about networking.

Originally posted by Rezet Well, currently it is hooked up to my old pc desktop.
It's possible to set up the password when you set the thing up, would that do it for now? I dont know much about networking.

YES, I typed before: "What should I do? I just got that linksys router w/o the card? Am I good to go?"

I mean it's no problem, circuit city is like 6 mins away from my house, i can just go and get another router that is easier to set up and more secure for mac.
IS D LINK better? and easier to set up? I can get that.

Originally posted by Rezet YES, I typed before: "What should I do? I just got that linksys router w/o the card? Am I good to go?"

I mean it's no problem, circuit city is like 6 mins away from my house, i can just go and get another router that is easier to set up and more secure for mac.
IS D LINK better? and easier to set up? I can get that.

Also turn SSID broadcast off. This will force you to enter the EXACT name of the network to connect. If you do all three things (MAC access control, WEP password, and SSID broadcast disable) you have done all you can. However, that does not preclude someone who really, really wants to break in It will keep casual sniffers from getting into your network, but someone with a real RF collector can find the router and if really proned to could break in.

i reccomend setting up the router from your pc first with the setup cd, it will save you much time. thats what i did when i got my linksys router and it was great, had such wonderful range. its just when i got my 12 inch powerbook with 802.11g it didnt like my linksys router, i think father down the road the problems got fixed, but i ended up buying an aiport extreme base station and couldnt be happier.

Originally posted by Rezet Hey, I was wondering if LINKSYS wireless rputer would work for mac. I couldn't find anything about this on the box or manual. But they advertise it as "plug and play" type of device.

Lets say if I have a NETGEAR router. Can I still get LINKSYS network bridge? Or it has to be the same company, and how would I set it up? I don't understand how to set up network bridges if there is no computer hooked up to it. I mean, does it find connection automatically? So basically, since i live in an apartment, any of my neighbors can get that bridge and use my connection?

You see, here is what I need.

I want to hook up 1 Desktop PC, 1 Mac Laptop, 1 PS2 and 1 XBOX.

SO, I'm gonan set up NETGEAR or LINKSYS or D-LINK router next to desktop PC, it will transmit the signal to Mac laptop with air port card built in. correct?
Then I get a bridge thingy and plug it in another room and hook up to xbox and ps2. But how do i configure it so the connection still remains safe, yet i can conenct with consoles - no problem?

Originally posted by Rezet I mean, does it find connection automatically?

Click to expand...

The Mac will - by default - called "Best Signal" setting. You can change this setting though to "Most Recent", or even "Specific". You can embed the password in the "Specific" setting.

Quote

Originally posted by Rezet So basically, since i live in an apartment, any of my neighbors can get that bridge and use my connection?

Click to expand...

Yes. Ergo the WEP and MAC Access Control discussion.

Quote

Originally posted by Rezet SO, I'm gonan set up NETGEAR or LINKSYS or D-LINK router next to desktop PC, it will transmit the signal to Mac laptop with air port card built in. correct?

Click to expand...

Ayep, and again, the default setting is for the Mac to find the Access Point/Router/Base Station automatically.

Quote

Originally posted by Rezet Then I get a bridge thingy and plug it in another room and hook up to xbox and ps2. But how do i configure it so the connection still remains safe, yet i can conenct with consoles - no problem?

OK, so it shouldnt be a problem if i use NETgear router and connect it to linksys bridge?
Ok, i'll try and see what i get out of this. I really prefer not to deal with numbers and settings too much. I'd much rather get it configured automatically.

But im concerned about security thingy as well. So, as soon as i get my pbook up online, i'll try to contact you patrick if it's ok with you. You'll help me with the network settings, if u dont mind, cuz i dont know anything about networking and security.

MacRumors attracts a broad audience
of both consumers and professionals interested in
the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on
purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms.